Eagles will know their Super Bowl fate by October (and it looks brutal)

Everyone agrees that the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions, have one of the most demanding 2025 schedules in the NFL.

The Eagles are already at a disadvantage with only eight home games, and none happen in consecutive weeks. Only four of their opponents did not make the postseason in 2024.

Philadelphia's chips are stacked against them, but this loaded roster will be ready to take on the challenge. The question is whether this team can come together immediately to help them get through the gauntlet of games to start the season.

Eagles have a challenging first five games of the season

There isn't a team in the NFL that has a start to the year as brutal as Philadelphia's opening five games. Here's a look at who they have the start the season against:

The good news is that the Eagles won't have to travel across the country to play the Rams or Broncos, as they will play in the Linc. They do have to go on the road, though, to play their Super Bowl opponents in Kansas City and the Buccaneers.

Starting with Dallas, the Eagles have had the Cowboys' number in recent years, as last year, Philadelphia won both games with a combined score of 75-13. NFC East games are never easy, so it would be too quick to count out the Cowboys, but the Eagles are the more talented team with a better recent history.

The Super Bowl rematch comes the following week against the Chiefs. Philadelphia dominated Kansas City 40-22 the last time these two teams played in February. The Eagles have won two in a row against the Chiefs.

Week 3 is another playoff rematch against the Rams, as the NFC Divisional round game was the only Eagles playoff game to be within one possession. This is a game Los Angeles has circled on its calendar as a revenge game. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley loved playing the Rams, as he rushed for 460 yards and four touchdowns in two games against them last year.

Philadelphia's Achilles heel comes in Week 4 with a trip to Tampa Bay. The Bucs have dominated the series against the Eagles, as they have won six of the last seven matchups, with four of those games being by 10 or more points.

The tough stretch closes out against the resurgent Broncos, who made the postseason with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Philadelphia has won three of the last four matchups against Denver.

It's not a favorable schedule for the Eagles, and they have not been known to get off to strong starts to seasons. Last year, Philadelphia was 2-2 going into the bye week before turning it around.

Starting the season slow can't happen for the Eagles if they want to set themselves up for a second consecutive Super Bowl title.